Discover Sam Poo Kong: A Journey Through Semarang’s Timeless Temple

Sam Poo Kong Temple, also known as Gedung Batu Temple, is the oldest Chinese temple in Semarang, that roots tracing back to the legendary 14th century voyages of Chinese Muslim explorer Admiral Zheng He (Cheng Ho). The building of this place is blended by both Chinese and Javanese 14th century architectural styles. The temple has a triple-layered pagoda-style roof, which is characteristic of East Asian culture, and is painted in an amazing color of red. It feels just like you are in China because of the dense scent of incense in the surrounding area.  Sam Poo Kong is a magnificent temple complex that is not only a place of worship. This place could also be a living museum, a spiritual sanctuary, a vibrant cultural hub, that is drawing visitors into an unforgettable experience. After a landslide decimated the original Sam Poo Kong temple and cave in 1704, the locals rebuilt it 20 years later, moving it to  a new location closer to the city center, specifically chosen to be less susceptible to environmental wear and damage.

Price and Additional Information

One of the most striking aspects of Sam Poo Kong is its unique architectural blend. The vibrant red hues, intricate roof design and soaring pagodas instantly make it look like a Chinese temple. But if you really look, you’ll see Javanese art in the carvings and how peaceful it feels. This blend shows how Chinese and Javanese cultures have combined together in Semarang for a very long time. Sam Poo Kong itself is open daily, it’s open for the public from 8.00 AM to 8.00 PM. While the temple is open all day, it’s recommended to visit either in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat of the midday sun. The ticket entrance is also affordable, starts from IDR 10,000 (USD 0,61) for locals, and IDR 15,000 (USD 0,92) for foreign visitors on weekdays. While on weekends, the locals fee starts from IDR 15,000 (USD 0,92), while for foreign visitors starts from IDR 20,000 (USD 1,22).

Sam Poo Kong has the complex comprises if the several key temples, such as:

• Sam Poo Kong Temple
  This is the main and largest temple, stones reliefs enhancing its walls vividly depict the tales of his legendary expeditions.

• Kyai Juru Mudi Temple
  Dedicated to Wang Jing Hong, Admiral Zheng He’s trusted helmsman, this temple marks his final resting place. It’s a popular spot for those hoping to receive blessings for their businesses.

• Tho Tee Kong (Earth God Temple)
  A place for followers of Confucianism and Taoism gather to show appreciation for bountiful harvests and all earthly blessings.

• Kyai Jangkar Temple
  This temple gets its name from a sacred anchor, said to be from Zheng He’s fleet. It serves as a memorial for the crew members who perished during his historic sea journeys.

• Kyai Cundrik Bumi Temple
  You’ll discover a sacred weapon within this temple, directly connected to the legendary Admiral Zheng He.

Sam Poo Kong is not just about observing history; it’s about experiencing it. Here’s how you can make your visit truly memorable:

• Guided Tours
  Sam Poo Kong offers self guided tours which are open for both local visitors and also tourist visitors. If the visitors want to gain deeper insight of historical understanding, the cultural context of the unique blend of Chinese and Javanese architectural styles, religious practices, symbolism explained so the guide can help interpret the meaning behind those statues, reliefs, and more.

• Strolling around the area of Sam Poo Kong
  The main thing you can do at Sam Poo Kong Semarang is explore the temple complex. This complex has five buildings that blend traditional Javanese and Chinese architecture.

• Rent Costumes and Hunt for Photo Spots
  This temple in Semarang also offers Chinese imperial-style costume rental facilities. You can wear beautiful and stylish costumes in various corners of the temple. The costume rental location is located near the shop that sells food. The costume rental price at Sam Poo Kong starts from IDR 80,000 (USD 4,88) and includes accessories such as hats, umbrellas, fans, even spears and swords. Costumes are available for children to adults. Sam Poo Kong Temple is famous for its beautiful architecture and various interesting spots to be used as photo backgrounds. With the temple building dominated by red color and typical Chinese architecture such as the three-layered pagoda roof, it will certainly be a charming photo spot. Please note, costume rentals are available only every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

• See a Shows
  During festivals such as Chinese New Year, Sam Poo Kong Temple holds various entertainment events. You can watch cultural performances such as barongsai, traditional dance, reog, keroncong, and jathilan. There is also a food bazaar that presents Chinese New Year specialties such as basket cakes.Apart from Chinese New Year, the temple also holds the Cheng Ho Festival, which is held in August. The events that you can enjoy include parades, music and dance performances, and food bazaars. It is always a good idea to check their official social media for the newest update events if you are planning to visit and not missing out on their events. You may check in their official Instagram: @wisata.sampookong 

Sam Poo Kong offers facilities and services for the visitors. There are the facilities and services that available at Sam Poo Kong:

1. Prayer Room
2. Restroom
3. Souvenir Shops
4. Parking Area

How to Get There

Sam Poo Kong is located in Bongasari, Semarang City, Central Java. If the visitors want to visit this place, there are many options for you to get to this place. Here are the options for you:

• BRT
  For visitors who want to go to Sam Poo Kong using public transportation, there is a bus called Trans Semarang. If you start the route from downtown you can get on the bus in the corridor. The bus will take you off to the bus stop close to Sam Poo Kong, then you can take a walk for a while.

• Self Driving
  If you choose to drive, renting a car or scooter from local providers is a great option. The visitors only need to open the maps and set the route to Lawang Sewu. There is lots of parking accessible, so you don’t need to worry about it.